Building Relationships

This morning, and every morning when we arrive at the church there is a group waiting to greet us. This morning was no different, however, there was a little more interaction than usual (videos not downloading).

Peace House

Peace House
Main building, offices, classrooms, teacher space.

Class rooms

Mount Meru in the background.

Their globe for education
 is a blow up globe.

After a quick lunch at Tumanni Cottage, we took off for Peace House which is a school for orphans. Most of the orphans are here because their parents died of HIV/AIDS. The school opened in 2007, we visited it in 2008 when it was very new and just beginning. A beautiful 150 acre property with very new buildings. However, in the last couple years because of poor/corrupt financial management it almost closed in March 2012. The last director ran it into the ground, was not paying vendors, accumulated a lot of debt, meals were cut, programs were cut, salaries weren't being paid -- and in the end he paid off his unpaid staff by telling them to take whatever they wanted and then he himself just disappeared. He told them that they could "take a roof if they could find away to do it." The school was stripped bare, science instruments gone, computers gone, copier gone, if it wasn't nailed down it was gone. It was left to bare bones. Of the 17 teachers left, only 7 stayed.

In March 2012, Bishop Thomas Laiser stepped in to save the school from closing even for 18 months. At that time, of the 140 students left, 70 graduated, leaving only 70. Today, the school has 320 students -- but very little equipment. The school is on its way back but needs help...financial and gifts like computers. It really tugged at my heart because I saw it when it was so very vibirant and filled with life and activity.

Please note, that the pictures below are from 2008...the welcome desk was full with someone to greet us -- now no one there. The rooms were warm and decorated. There was activities on the activity board, a new tractor in the court yard, students, now all of that is missing -- although the students are coming back there is no science equpment, the computer lab is empty, books are scarce and this all happened just recently in March 2012. It breaks my heart because the potential was so great for orphans of AID victims.

Once front desk

They once had equipment...gone.

A computer lab without any computers.

Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre



Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre - 2012

Things have changed since we first visited ALMC, when it was undercontruction as you can see in the before and after pictures.Today we had a late start and everyone was glad. We left from Tumaini Cottage at 10 a.m. We went to Engarenarok Lutheran Church for Tea Time. Great donuts and soumosa (little triangle things with ground beef in them -- fried). We then left for Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC). Where we met with Dr. Mark Jacobson the Director. He has been in Tanzania for 30 years, and doctoring for over 26 years. In 2008, the hospital was not quite finished. As we walked in we saw a donor board with a familiar name on it...Faith Lutheran Church, Moline USA. I was so proud at that very moment -- "Well done good and faithful servants."

Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre -2008

Dave Russell and Dr. Turner point to our name

Pastor Mark with Dr. Mark Jacobson, Director

Before going to the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre there was some singing and dancing going on.

Life After Boma

What is a boma? A boma is a Maasai hut made of sticks, mud, and donkey dung; and it too is a term for a grouping of huts. Maasai are a pastoring people, traveling with their herds of goats and cattle, thus their homes were not very permanent, however, now they are becoming more permanent structures with some being made of bricks. The boma that we stayed at was the same one we stayed at four years ago. The man who owns the boma has 16 wives. He had 15 wives four years ago, and is 76 years old. He also has about 80 children. All of his wives are Christian as well as his children; last year when he got very sick he was too baptized. While the parish pastor has told him, no more wives -- the man would like four more to reach the number 20.

All tucked in.

Another Maasai that we learned about has 35 wives and over a 125 children. He is 85 years old, very unusual. We were told that one of this Maasai's children were involved in an auto mobil accident while walking to school. So he created his own school for his boma.

We had a great time visiting with the people, playing with the children, and walking throughout the boma. Evangelist Materu, brought mats for sleeping on which made a big difference. We too were very warm in our boma. Some of us slept well while others did not.

In the morning, we met the parish pastor, Pastor William, who is their very first pastor for the past three years. This parish first started with evangelists, now they have one pastor, six evangelists, and one parish worker. They get around on eight motorcycles.

While we missed out on goat cake the night before, we were treated to it the next day. A goat is cooked over an open fire. We had a lot. It is a very special treat and ocassion. We too past out many gifts.

When we finally finished off the goat, we went back to our lodging for a shower and a quick stop before going to see the millet factory; where we ate again. Then after returning to our lodging, we were ready for supper to eat again; we ate at 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and again at 6 p.m. Needless to say, we are not loosing any weight.

It was a full couple of days. Following dinner we all had some down time. And our day tomorrow does not start until 9:30 a.m. with breakfast.

The other guys

Maasai boy with gifts from America

Natalie and new friend.

Pastor Mark with Abraham
renewing friendships

Maasai wife.

Pastor Mark with the owner of the boma
and one of his 16 wives.







Boma Here We Come

This morning we went to church for morning devotions...but I did not have to lead it this time.
It has been another busy day in Tanzania. We went to the Tanzanite Office where we learned about this stone that was only first discovered in 1967. And it is only found in Tanzania. It was very interesting. We went back to the church for tea time -- a new activity that we have to intergrate into our calendars.
Later, we visited Allbless Shoo and his family at "Fi-Fi's" -- his new restaurant named after his daughter who envisioned it. It is only three days old, but very nice. Got to go...more later.

We had a great meal...some of us even had milk shakes.

We did get a little bit off schedule again...and so we ended up traveling out to the boma at night. It was pretty dark and hard to find the road to the boma. So with the help of motorcycles we made our own road through the grass.

Going Back to School and Off to See the Bishop

We began this day with morning devotions by yours truly...I had no warning and three verses of a song in which to prepare. Then it was off to school. It was a blast, we gave away everything we had, pencils, pens, necklaces, stickers, and key chains and the kids just loved it (the school kids did too).

We then had tea time, before we were off to see the bishop. We got there a bit early, so we all got to go shopping before meeting with the bishop. Bishop Laiser warmly greeted us a the diocese hotel, where he shared their ministry with us. He too applauded our choice to stand firmly on the never changing Word of God. We ate with him and toured the hotel.

Then I, Pastor Mark, lead a lesson on Discipleship, it was very good. Following that we returned back to Tumaini Cottages, for another meal.

Living a Courageous Life

Pastor Mark with Pastor George,
who translated.

What another wonderful day! We worshipped from 6:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. It included the reading of the Word, the preaching of the Word, giving, giving, and more giving. Four offerings were taken: a first and second general offering, the third offering for special projects like their church renovation, and gifts of thanksgiving for blessings like healing, a new job, a wedding, and other special things. After the service is over, they auction off gifts that people have brought -- to turn them into cash for the church. Things like vegetables, clothing, and live chickens. What is powerful about this is that it gives everyone an opportunity to give something to God, even if you do not have the money physically.

This morning we too gave some of our gifts of the laptop computer and $1000 to Engarenarok Lutheran Church. They were so appreciative! Well done good and faithful servants...these gifts were from YOU!

In every service that they welcomed us...they commented on we as a church standing on the Word of God and for our courage to leave our former church body in order to be "faithful." Pastor Mushi said that we are living up to our name of Faith Lutheran Church. He even went so far as to call us "heros" of the faith. They (the people and leadership of Tanzania) have never spoke more openly about what is happening in mainline churches. It truly brought tears to my eyes. They do not understand the whole progressive theology that is happening in the United States.

While I was doing the third service, the rest of the team visited with Evangelist Gladness Mhabasha. After church we were hosted to a special luncheon with the elders, staff, and other leaders of the church. We all introduced ourselves and ate. By the way, we are being fed extremely well, I am eating better here than I do at home (as you know, I find eating and sleeping as a waste of valuable time).

Then we returned to our home in Tanzania, the Tumanni Cottage. Soon it was time for our Sunday supper and a night of rest.